UK economy could reap £49 for every £1 invested in automation

14 December 2015 by Carl Brennand

The UK economy could be boosted by more than £60 billion if an extra £1.2 billion is invested in automation and robotics, a study from Barclays has found.

The report, titled ‘Future-proofing UK manufacturing’, found that an investment of this kind would see the UK manufacturing sector grow to a value of £191 billion by 2025, in turn securing 105,800 jobs throughout the economy. The predicted economic improvement is equivalent to £49 recouped for every £1 invested.

The study claims that investment in automation and robotics will improve productivity and energy efficiency, allowing UK manufacturing to become more competitive, particularly the food and pharmaceutical sectors.

For decades Gibbons Engineering Group have been helping clients enhance automation by adding variable-speed drives to electric motor-driven processes. VSDs can enable energy savings of as much as 60% in fan, pump, mixer and conveyor applications to name just a few.

As an Authorized Value Provider, we’re fully approved to supply and install ABB drives as well as offer associated services such as energy appraisals, preventative maintenance and training.